On April 4, 2017, nearly 90 movie theaters across the country (plus one in Canada) will present screenings of the film adaptation of George Orwell's 1984, starring John Hurt, who sadly died in January. The date of April 4 was chosen for its significance within the novel: it's on this day that Orwell’s protagonist Winston Smith begins rebelling against his oppressive government by keeping a forbidden diary.

Orwell's portrait of a government that manufactures their own facts, demands total obedience, and demonizes foreign enemies has unfortunately never been timelier. Through this initiative, the participating theaters take a stand for freedom of speech, respect for all human beings and the simple truth that there are no such things as "alternative facts." The screenings are intended to galvanize people at the crossroads of cinema and community, and bring us together to foster communication and resistance against current efforts to undermine the most basic tenets of our society.

The participating theaters also strongly believe in supporting the National Endowment for the Arts and see any attempt to scuttle that program as an attack on free speech and creative expression through entertainment.

Anthology Film Archives will be screening a restored 35mm print Tuesday, April 4 in New York. Screenings in theaters nationwide can be found here.